The CHQ of BSNLEU wishes a very Happy Lohri / Makar Sankaranti / Pongal / Basant Panchami to all the comrades. Let these festivals bring peace, prosperity and harmony among the people.

In a totally unprecedented move, four senior most judges of the Supreme Court, revolted against the Chief Justice of India yesterday. Justice J. Chelemeswar, who is the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, next to the Chief Justice, together with justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph conducted a press meet yesterday, to air their views. They accused that “cases of far-reaching importance to the nation” were being selectively given to junior judges, and that senior judges were being ignored. The one case that has made the four senior-most judges to revolt is, the one related to ‘the mysterious death of judge B.H.Loya’. The CBI special court judge, B.H.Loya, died under mysterious circumstances last year, and his family members had raised suspicion about his death. It is also very important to note that, at the time of his death, judge B.H.Loya was hearing the fake encounter pawn you case of “Sohrabuddin Sheikh”, in which the BJP President, Amit Shah is the main accused. Before conducting the press conference, the four judges approached the Chief Justice, and requested him to take corrective steps, which was not accepted. The Supreme Court is the guardian of the Constitution and democracy in our country. At a time when the democracy of the nation is under attack, it is worrying to note that, allegations have surfaced regarding the fairness and transparency of the Supreme Court.

The government is launching a series of attacks on BSNL and it's employees. Denial of Wage Revision, breaking BSNL by forming the Subsidiary Tower Company, reduction of the retirement age, etc., have to be stopped. We have to fight back with all our strength. The March to Sanchar Bhawan on 23-02-2018 should give the right message to the government. Hence, it should be organised with the widest possible mobilisation. CHQ calls upon each and every district union to send the maximum number of comrades for Sanchar Bhawan March. The number of comrades coming from each circle, should be intimated to the CHQ latest by 20.01.2018.

A meeting of the representatives belonging to the Working Women's Coordination Committees of CITU, CCGEW, AIIEA, BSNLEU, BEFI and FMRAI was held today, at CITU’s office in New Delhi. BSNL Working Women's Coordination Committee is represented by Com. Chandra Prabha Muchhal, member of the committee from Haryana. Com. Ramesh Chand, Org. Secretary (CHQ) also attended the meeting. The meeting has held discussions on holding joint campaign on women’s issues. Other issues discussed include sexual harassment against women in work places and observing international women’s day on 08^th March, 2018, to highlight women’s democratic rights. The meeting has also decided to plan a joint national campaign on violence against women, along with women’s organisations and other mass organisations.   

The Delegates Session of the 8th All India Conference of BSNLEU started in the afternoon of 31st December, 2016. Com. Balbir Singh, presided over and com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, welcomed all. Com. A.K. Padmanabhan, Vice-President, CITU, inaugurated the session, vividly explaining the international and national developments in the trade union front. He exposed the pro-corporate policies of the Modi government. The session is also addressed by com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, Patron, com. Raj Bahadur Rawal, President, Telecom Employees Association of Nepal (TEAN), com. M. Krishnan, SG, Confederation, com. V. Ramesh, GS, AIIEA, com. K.G. Jayaraj, GS, AIBDPA and com. Animesh Mitra, SG, BSNLCCWF.

Only some photos of the the fantastic seminar, held on 31-12-2016, in the ongoing All India Conference of BSNLEU were uploaded on CHQ website. The remaining photos are uploaded here with. CHQ regrets for the delay.

Each and every conference of BSNLEU turns out to be a milestone. However, the 8th All India Conference held at Chennai will be considered as the best conference. It is because of the quality of the debate conducted by the delegates, and the involvement with which the delegates and observers participated in the conference. The house remained jam-packed till the last minute of the last day of the conference.

The 8th All India Conference of BSNLEU, which started at Chennai on 31st December,2016, got concluded jubilantly yesterday. Important issues like struggles to stop the Subsidiary Tower Company, settlement of wage revision, settlement of the Non-Executives' issues, etc., are deeply discussed by the Conference, and valuable guidance has been given to the CHQ. Com. Balbir Singh, com. P.Abhimanyu and com.Swapan Chakraborty are re-elected as President, General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary, respectively. Com.Gakul Borah(Assam), is elected as the new Treasurer. At 19:00 hrs, the Conference got concluded in an upbeat mood, amidst thunderous slogans.

As a follow-up to the discussion that took place in the formal meeting, held between BSNLEU and the Director (HR) on 08.01.2018, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri Keshav Rao, GM (Estt.) today, and reviewed the implementation of the agreed items. Shri A.K. Singh, DGM (Estt.) was also present. Details of the discussion are as follows:-

1. Restoration of the 25 day pay ceiling, for outdoor medical reimbursement.

The GM (Estt.) replied that in accordance with the decision taken in the meeting held with the Director (HR), file is already moved for the restoration of the 25 day pay ceiling for outdoor medical reimbursement.

2. Group B status and upgraded pay scale for Sr. Accountants, in accordance with the DoT letter.

Regarding this issue, the GM (Estt.) replied that file has already been received from the SEA Branch and that the matter is being processed.

3. Settlement of anomalies issue.

The GS explained that the issue is lying pending for in the DoT for a very long time, since BSNL has not provided the requisite information to the DoT. After discussion, the GM (Estt.) assured that, communication in this regard would be sent to the DoT shortly, based on whatever inputs that have been received from the circles.

4. Restoration of 7100 pay scale to the Sr.TOAs, who are downgraded to 6550 pay scale.

In the meeting held with the Director (HR), it was decided that the matter was to be discussed with the GM (Estt.). In today’s meeting, the GS explained briefly about this issue. The GM (Estt.) listened to the version of the Union, and assured that the matter would be looked into appropriately.

5. One time relaxation to the qualification prescribed to appear in the TT LDCE.

The GM (Estt.) informed the GS that a final decision on this issue would be taken only after receiving the requisite inputs from the circles. He also assured that this matter would be raised in the GM (HRs) conference to be held on 22.01.2018 and that the GM(HRs) would be told to send the details expeditiously.

6. Recovery of employees’ contribution of EPF arrears.

As per the decision taken in the meeting held with the Director (HR), BSNLEU has already provided a copy of the letter of the EPF Commissioner, Bhopal, wherein clear-cut direction has been given that, employees’ contribution of EPF arrears should not be recovered from the salary of the employees. On this issue, the GM (Estt.) replied that the requisite input is being collected from the circles. The GS requested him to expeditiously process the case.

As per the decision of the “All Unions and Associations of BSNL”, 5 day Satyagraha and Indefinite Work According to Rule is being launched from 31.01.2018. The notice for this agitational programme is served on CMD BSNL today.

A meeting is held today between the CMD BSNL and the Core Committee today. Com.P.Abhimanyu,GS, BSNLEU, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA and Com.K.S. Kulkarni, AGS, NFTE, attended today’s meeting. In the meeting, the following information is given by the CMD BSNL.

Financial results of BSNL for 2016 - 17.

The CMD BSNL shared some information with regards to BSNL’s financial results for the year 2016 – 17, which are encouraging. Operating profit (EBIDTA) is estimated to be Rs.1,684 crore and the net loss of the Company is estimated at Rs.4,700 crore. The CMD BSNL also informed that according to the new valuation mechanism, the net worth of BSNL is valued at Rs.34,319 crore and that, the net asset worth of the Company is estimated at Rs.91,684 crore.

BSNL to roll-out 4G service on 31.01.2018.

The CMD BSNL informed that BSNL will announce the rolling-out of it’s 4G service on 31^st January, 2018. He told that BSNL has demanded from the government, the allocation of 5MHz of 4G spectrum, in the 2100MHz bandwidth. The price of this 4G spectrum comes to Rs.16,000 crore. BSNL has demanded that 50% of this amount should be adjusted through capital infusion by the government, and the remaining 50% would be paid by BSNL in 10 equal instalments, said the CMD. He also told that the DoT is positive to the demand of BSNL, and that a final decision is expected to be taken soon. After allotment of 4G spectrum by the government, BSNL would install 10,000 BTSs for rolling-out 4G service.

Core Committee members raised serious issues with the CMD.

In today’s meeting the members of the Core Committee raised certain serious issues with the CMD BSNL. They told that the issues of non-settlement of 3^rd Pay Revision and formation of the Subsidiary Tower Company with an IAS officer as it’s CMD are seriously agitating the minds of the employees. Cancellation of the free calling from landlines on Sundays, as well as change in the timing of the night free calling, acute shortage of equipments for providing FTTH connections, frequent and large scale damaging of BSNL’s cables were taken to the notice of the CMD.

The original date for the March to Sanchar Bhawan was fixed as 28-02-2018. Subsequently, it is changed to 23-02-2018, in view of the Holi festival. This is already intimated through our website updating. Since the notice for the agitation was prepared before the change of date and many General Secretaries had already signed it. That is why date of the March to Sanchar Bhawan is mentioned as 28.02.2018 in the notice. Necessary correction in this regard has already been made. March to Sanchar Bhawan will be held only on 23-02-2018. Circle Secretaries are requested to immediately inform CHQ, the number of comrades coming from each circle.

The Israel Prime Minister, Netanyahu has come to India. The Narendra Modi government is making a very big “pomp and show” for this visit. In reality, Israel is a rogue state, which has made aggressions and has occupied Palestinian lands. It is not showing any respect to a number of resolutions passed in the United Nations General Assembly, with overwhelming majority. Due to this reason, up to certain point of time, Israel was treated as an ‘untouchable’ by most of the nations of the world. However, due to the continuous pressure of the United States, many countries have started treating Israel with respect now. The UPA government under the Congress party, normalised India’s ties with Israel. After Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister, India has gone very close to Israel. In this process, Israel’s arms producing corporates are the biggest gainers. Reports say that 41% of Israel’s arms exports are being made to India. Even during the present visit of Netanyahu, very big deals on arms, are going to be clinched. This is not good for the sovereignty of our country. It is a tragedy that, the ‘pseudo-patriots’ who raise a very big hue and cry about China, are silent about India’s undesirable closeness to Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should keep in mind that Israel is a country which does not respect the United Nations.

Accommodation has been arranged by the CHQ for the comrades who are coming from far away circles (not nearby circles) to participate in the March to Sanchar Bhawan on 23.02.2018. The accommodation is arranged for 22^nd & 23^rd February, 2018. However, CHQ has been able to book accommodation only for 750 comrades. Circle Secretaries are requested to immediately inform the CHQ about their requirement for accommodation. It is also informed that accommodation will be allotted on “first come - first served” basis. So, only those who inform the CHQ first, will get the accommodation.

Moving aggressively ahead, to implement it’s agenda of disinvestment / privatisation of the Public Sector Undertakings, the Central Government has decided to raise Rs.30,000 crore, through disinvestment of the shares of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL). With this the disinvestment target of the government for the current year is expected to reach Rs.90,000 crore. Last year, the government realised Rs.46,000 crore through disinvestments. Media reports say that the government may fix a target to get Rs.1 lakh crore through disinvestments in the next financial year. It may also be noted that the government is going ahead with the sale of Air India, despite objections raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport.

All comrades are requested to kindly note that BSNLEU’s new website bsnleu.in alone will be available from 23.01.2018. The existing website bsnleuchq.com will be discontinued with effect from the above mentioned date.